Salomon S-Lab Pulsar Review
Salomon's New Trail Race Superstar
Likes
- Nimble performance fit
- Soft and responsive midsole
- Lightweight on-foot feel
Dislikes
- Narrow, restrictive heel collar
- Slight irritation from non-removable sock liner
What's New
The all-new Salomon S-Lab Pulsar has been crafted for elite-level athletes and earns a spot at the top of a long list of high-performing Salomon trail shoes. The Pulsar is designed with an Energy Surge foam midsole, Salomon's lightest foam ever, and offers explosive energy return that will propel runners forward through every stride. These race-day pros are finished with a Matryx upper that fits like a glove and provides targeted support, as well as a lightweight, breathable feel to keep wearers comfortable on a variety of trails and distances. No matter what level of runner you are, PRs will be under constant threat when the Pulsar is underfoot.
The Bottom Line
Designed to help Kilian Jornet break trail records, the Salomon Pulsar is a star (seriously—it's a highly magnetized rotating neutron star), and these race-day speedsters are outfitted with everything they need to shine on the trails. The Energy Surge midsole is as elite as the trail athletes it was built for and offers a propulsive energy return that will have runners flying over the dirt. The midsole also provides an impressive level of protection, especially given its lightweight, nimble design. That said, runners who prefer a maximalist underfoot experience may still want more protective cushioning. Additionally, the Matryx upper design is the perfect complement to the Energy Surge midsole, delivering a sock-like fit that hugs the foot in all the right ways. When it comes to fit, runners with wider feet should be warned, as the Pulsar is a bit narrow and may irritate those who require a more spacious design. Regardless of its minor faults, the Salomon S-Lab Pulsar is a top-end race-day trail shoe built to help push faster tempos during training runs, and they will not disappoint anyone who gives them a try.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Narrow| Height: Medium to Low |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to Low |
| Heel Width | Medium to Narrow |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 6.2 oz (size 9) | Women's: 5.6 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 27 mm (Heel), 21 mm (Forefoot) - includes non-removable sock liner |
| Terrain | Trail |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
The Pulsar is not the softest shoe, but given its speed-focused design, it offers an impressive level of comfortable cushioning underfoot. Even better, the Pulsar is uncharacteristically accommodating for a racing shoe and will appeal to a variety of different foot strikers, not just those who run on their forefoot. The real magic of this shoe is its cushion-to-weight ratio, which is almost unparalleled.
Kaitlin: "While this shoe is on the lightweight and borderline minimal side, the cushioning is surprisingly soft and springy throughout. Unlike other racing shoes where staying on the forefoot feels more comfortable, the Pulsar feels well-cushioned in the heel as well as the midfoot, allowing for comfortable running while on flatter trail sections, which are usually less comfortable in other trail shoes."
Erik: "To get the responsiveness needed for a racing flat, Salomon had to sacrifice some softness in the Pulsar. The Energy Surge midsole provides a high level of cushioning for how light this shoe is, but I wouldn't call it a plush ride."
Ride/Energy Returni
Salomon built the Pulsar to break trail records, so every aspect is crafted for elite performance. The Energy Surge midsole is explosive and will encourage runners to push their limits on a variety of trails. While the Pulsar may not be suited for ultramarathons due to its level of cushioning, all your other racing PRs may be at risk if you decide to lace up in these impressive trail shoes.
Kaitlin: "The ride of this shoe feels energetic and propulsive. The combination of a performance fit and flexibility makes the Pulsar feel like an extension of my foot, giving me more control and confidence on the trail."
Erik: "Again, pointing to the Energy Surge midsole, I was impressed with how responsive this shoe felt over a variety of terrains. I also took it on some road sections and loved how it performed there as well. This shoe wants to go fast and feels best when you push your pace."
Underfoot Protectioni
Because of its speedy design, the Pulsar does not offer the most robust protection package on the market. Don't let that fool you, as the Pulsar is surprisingly formidable against trail hazards, and runners should have no issues on rough technical terrain. Wearers will also be able to maneuver through trails nimbly thanks to the shoe's responsive midsole.
Kaitlin: "The cushioning provides lightweight protection and has good rebound to propel me forward on my runs. This shoe's build allowed for nimble movements, which gave me the ability to navigate the trails with precision."
Erik: "When I picked up the Pulsar, I was amazed how light it felt (6.2 oz for a men's size 9). I was impressed that Salomon would even attempt to create a true racing flat for the trails and was doubtful of how much protection they would provide, especially when faced with rocks and rough terrain. Those doubts were quickly erased within my first couple of miles in these shoes. I was also surprised that I had no issues with the level of protection offered by the Pulsar. I was so impressed that I deliberately started seeking out rocks late in my run to see how much of a pounding I could take without feeling the impact, and I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed."
Flexibilityi
The Pulsar seems to have found the sweet spot when it comes to flexibility, providing enough flex to efficiently roll runners through their gait without losing any of the midsole's agile qualities. Once again, this makes the Pulsar well-equipped for pushing the pace on groomed terrain, as well as tougher, more technical trails.
Kaitlin: "This shoe provides smooth flexibility that translates into a propulsive ride. Regardless of how your foot strikes, the Pulsar provides a fluid forward motion with little excess foot movement."
Erik: "There is just enough flexibility to be nimble and quick on rough technical terrain, but the shoe is not so flexible that it feels mushy or unresponsive when it's time to go fast. The Pulsar has a great feel all the way through the running gait."
Upper Supporti
The Pulsar's upper is lightweight and fairly minimal, which perfectly complements its high-performance midsole. The Matryx design fits like a glove and offers a comfortably secure foot wrap. Though wide-footed runners should be advised that the heel collar is narrow and requires a little extra patience when pulling these speedsters on, our reviewers found the on-foot experience well worth this slight inconvenience.
Kaitlin: "The upper has a sock-like material that wraps around the foot. I felt locked in through the midfoot and had some volume for my toes to spread out. That said, the Pulsar does have a narrower fit. I appreciated the dynamic support the shoe provides with its semi-taut yet accommodating wrap. The heel collar might have been better with a softer reinforcement, as the edges dug into my ankle a bit."
Erik: "My biggest concern going into testing was the level of stability the Pulsar's upper would provide. I didn't see how its minimal upper would support my foot over rough terrain, especially while trying to run fast. Within a couple of miles, that worry faded away with the realization that Salomon was able to get all the support needed thanks to the Matryx upper design. It fits like a glove without being constricting and supports the foot as it moves swiftly over terrain."
Salomon Women's S-Lab Pulsar
Individual Thoughts
The Pulsar is a great shoe for those hoping to traverse through a single track or more technical terrain with agility and ease. I felt so nimble in this shoe. It added some speed and fun to my regular trail routes. The traction seemed modest, but I didn't have any slipping and felt confident on a variety of terrain. The underfoot cushioning is soft and springy. It almost feels like a slightly beefier and more rugged road-racing flat. My favorite thing about this Pulsar was how it allowed me to connect with the trail. It seems like shoes with good ground awareness are usually firm, but the Pulsar has a soft midsole cushion and a connection to the ground. This shoe fits narrow and fairly long throughout the forefoot. I probably needed to go down a half size for the ideal fit. I had some rubbing from the non-removable sock liner and edge of the heel collar, but they were minor issues that didn't get in the way of the Pulsar's magical ride.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
Salomon S-Lab has done it again. Salomon is known for producing top-shelf racing and training products for the trails. This time they aimed to bring the lightest trail racing flat to the market and ended up hitting that target with the S-Lab Pulsar. Designed with record-breaking aspirations for Kilian Jornet, Salomon innovated and turned out a product built to handle some gnarly terrain. The fit and feel of this shoe are very dialed in for speed. It is a racing flat through and through.
Side note: This shoe is designed to be a lightweight racing shoe for fast and efficient runners. Some runners, however, may not like the fit of this somewhat narrow and minimal shoe. Also, some people may not think it has enough cushioning for long runs on the trail.
